Catholic Conservative Party

The Catholic Conservative Party (KK) was a conservative political party in Switzerland that existed during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The KK appealed to pious Catholic, working-class voters in the east of the country, with many of the party's members being farmers and rural people, unlike the rival Free Party of Switzerland, which had the support of the upper classes and many laborers in the west. The Catholic Conservative Party was the most important political party for much of the 19th century, holding power for 22 years from 1836 to 1858 before losing the 1858 Swiss elections. The party would constantly struggle with the Free Party for control of the government, and the Catholic Conservatives managed to block most liberal reforms while sitting in opposition; however, the liberals would push through women's suffrage, universal voting rights, and other reforms under Conservative governments.